society
/səˈsaɪəti/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈsaɪəti/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈsī-ə-tē/ (ame, mw)
society — 名詞
- societysingular
- societiesplural
1. All the inhabitants of a country or region, considered as an organised whole wit
社會
生活在同一國家或地區的人群
All the inhabitants of a country or region, considered as an organised whole with shared laws, customs, and institutions. Without an article, the word refers to people in general; with an article such as "a" or "the", it picks out one specific population.
Maeve's town organised free meals for seniors and kids after the factory closed — society at its best.
Maeve 居住的小鎮在工廠關閉後為老人和孩童提供免費餐點——這正是社會互助的最佳展現。
collocation: society at its best
In many traditional societies, the eldest son inherits the family land.
在許多傳統社會中，長子繼承家族的土地。
countable: a particular society / traditional societies
Lakan's grandmother in Manila now uses video-calls — a change in society her younger self never imagined.
Lakan 住在馬尼拉的祖母現在會使用視訊通話——這是她年輕時完全想像不到的社會變化。
The society that Nila grew up in valued education above all else.
Nila 成長的社會把教育視為最重要的價值。
Floods destroyed homes in Obi's village, so families rebuilt on higher ground — a society adapting to change.
洪水摧毀了 Obi 村莊的房屋，於是居民們在更高處重建家園——一個因應變遷的社會。
- community
Smaller and more local than society; focuses on people living in one place or sharing a particular identity
- civilization
Emphasises the level of cultural and technological development, not just organisation
- the public
Refers to ordinary people rather than the whole organised group; contrasts with private or official spheres
文法句型
society + verb
in + society
a + adjective + society
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to people in general ("society as a whole"). Countable when pointing to a specific group ("an industrial society", "Japanese society"). The definite article is commonly used with modifiers: "the society we live in."
常見錯誤
2. The group of wealthy, powerful, and fashionable people who attend exclusive soci
上流社會
富裕、有權勢、注重時尚的階層
The group of wealthy, powerful, and fashionable people who attend exclusive social events and whose activities are often covered by the media.
The charity ball was one of the most important events in New York society.
那場慈善舞會是紐約上流社會最重要的活動之一。
pattern: in [city] society
Magazines like to print photos of society women at parties and holiday resorts.
雜誌喜歡刊登社交名媛在派對和度假勝地的照片。
attributive noun: society women
Dewi moved in high society after her marriage to a wealthy banker.
Dewi 嫁給一位富有的銀行家後，便進入了上流社會。
In 1920s London, being seen at the right parties mattered a great deal in society.
在1920年代的倫敦，出現在對的場合對上流社會來說非常重要。
- the elite
More general — can refer to wealth, power, or talent, not specifically fashion and social events
- the upper class
Emphasises inherited wealth and social rank rather than fashionable lifestyle
- high society
The most common fixed expression for this sense, less formal than 'society' alone
文法句型
high society
in society
society + noun
用法筆記
Often preceded by a city or place name ("Boston society", "Paris society"). The phrase "high society" is the most common form of this sense. Frequently used as an attributive noun before another noun ("society wedding", "society hostess").
常見錯誤
3. The experience or condition of being together with other people, especially when
陪伴；相處
和他人在一起的狀態或感受
The experience or condition of being together with other people, especially when this is pleasant and gives a feeling of belonging.
After retiring, Felix missed the society of his former colleagues.
退休後，Felix 懷念以前同事的陪伴。
pattern: the society of [people]
Yael enjoys the society of people who share her passion for hiking.
Yael 喜歡和同樣熱愛登山的人相處。
Living alone in the countryside, Liang craved the society of others.
獨自住在鄉下的 Liang 渴望他人的陪伴。
Min joined the Maplewood Book Club and enjoyed the society of members who loved the same novels.
Min 加入了 Maplewood 讀書會，享受和喜愛同樣小說的會員們相處的樂趣。
- company
Less formal; the common choice in everyday conversation ("keep me company", "good company")
- companionship
More emotional than society; suggests a closer, warmer relationship
- fellowship
Suggests shared aims or values, often in religious or academic contexts
- loneliness
The opposite feeling of being without others
- isolation
A physical state of being separated from others
文法句型
the society of + noun phrase
the society of + someone
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than everyday alternatives like "company" or "being with." It almost always appears in the pattern "the society of [someone]." Typical verbs used with this sense include "enjoy," "crave," "miss," "seek," and "avoid."
常見錯誤
4. Any organised body whose members pursue a common interest, hobby, or goal throug
社團；協會
因共同興趣而組成的組織
Any organised body whose members pursue a common interest, hobby, or goal through regular meetings or activities.
Aaron joined the university debating society to improve his public speaking skills.
Aaron 加入大學辯論社來增進他的公開演講技巧。
collocation: debating society
The local historical society organises guided tours of old buildings every weekend.
當地的歷史協會每個週末都會舉辦古老建築導覽活動。
Kemi became president of the student film society during her final year.
Kemi 在最後一年成為學生電影社的社長。
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has millions of members across Britain.
英國皇家鳥類保護協會有數百萬名會員遍布全英國。
- club
Less formal; often used for social or sports groups rather than academic or charitable ones
- association
More formal; often used for professional or trade organisations
- organisation
The broadest term; covers societies, clubs, charities, and companies alike
文法句型
a/an + adjective + society
the + subject + society
[interest] + society
用法筆記
Used in the names of many organisations ("the Royal Society," "the American Cancer Society"). The noun describing the interest or field usually comes before "society" ("history society", "film society", "music society"). Unlike sense 1, this sense is always countable and takes an article.
常見錯誤
society — 形容詞
- societypositive
- more societycomparative
- most societysuperlative
1. Connected with the lifestyle, events, and media coverage of wealthy, fashionable
社交界的
與上流時尚社交圈有關的
Connected with the lifestyle, events, and media coverage of wealthy, fashionable people.
The magazine covers everything from society weddings to royal gossip.
這本雜誌報導的內容從社交界的婚禮到皇室八卦應有盡有。
attributive use: society + noun
Camila was a well-known figure in society circles on the French Riviera.
Camila 在法國蔚藍海岸的社交圈中是位知名人物。
Stefan grew tired of the gossip and pretence that came with the society lifestyle.
Stefan 厭倦了社交界生活方式所帶來的八卦和虛偽。
The wedding was a society event attended by over four hundred guests.
那是一場超過四百位賓客參加的社交界盛事。
- high-society
The hyphenated form is more common in modern writing and less vague
- socialite
Used as a noun referring to a person who belongs to fashionable society, rather than describing things
- upper-class
Broader — refers to social rank and wealth rather than specifically the fashionable social scene
文法句型
society + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is always used before a noun (attributive) and never appears as a predicate ("*The event was very society"). It is strongly associated with journalism and magazine writing rather than everyday speech.